Strap coil and method and apparatus for forming same

ABSTRACT

A length of metallic waste strap is stressed longitudinally along its length beyond the material yield point to cause strain deformation and coiling. Strap is fed by a feed wheel assembly between a strap curler nose piece and roller positioned transversely to the strap to cause it to be bent downwardly. Strap coils produced according to the invention may be stored in a container or baled for suitable disposal. A safety guard prevents whipping of the strap. The safety guard is interlocked with the drive to terminate operation of the coiler for introducing a new length of strap. Also, if strap entanglement causes the guard to move out of operating position, the drive will be shut off.

United States Patent Meier et al.-

I14 Oct. 7, 1975 4] STRAP COIL AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SAME [75] Inventors: William A. Meier, Hoffman Estates; Robert J. Massion, Cary, both of Ill.

[73] Assignee: Signode Corporation, Glenview, Ill.

[22] Filed: May 22, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 472,177

[52] US. Cl. 72/146 [51] Int. Cl..... B21C 47/06 [58] Field of Search 72/146, 148

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,336,777 8/1967 B Odnar 72/146 3,357,222 12/1967 Konstandt Primary ExaminerMiltOn S. Mehr Attorney, Agent, or FirmDressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

[ 57] ABSTRACT A length of metallic waste strap is stressed longitudinally along its length beyond the material yield point to cause strain deformation and coiling. Strap is fed by a feed wheel assembly between a strap curler nose piece and roller positioned transversely to the strap to cause it to be bent downwardly. Strap coils produced according to the invention may be stored in a container or baled for suitable disposal.

A safety guard prevents whipping Of the strap. The safety guard is interlocked with the drive to terminate Operation of the coiler for introducing a new length of strap. Also, if strap entanglement causes the guard to move out Of operating position, the drive will be shut Off.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1&9 112 212 47 A/7 -O\ 1% f 1 5 Patent 0a. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,910,089

Sheet 2 of 2 US. Patent 00. 7,1975

STRAP COIL AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the ever increasing use of bulk packaging for articles of manufacture which are'shipped in bundles that are bound together by metallic strap, an inexpensive and high-speed method of disposing of the strap has been sought. When bundled articles are delivered and are ready for use, the strapping material is severed to release the bundle. In facilities which process a large number of bundled items, disposal of this strapping material may present significant problems. Strapping is made from many types of material, the most widely used is steel strap which may be coated or uncoated.

Steel strap, due to its strength, presents unique problems of disposal. In the past, it has been suggested that this strapping be severed into small pieces which may be collected in a barrel or other container for disposal, e.g., Larson US. Pat. No. 3,224,312, andPalmleaf US. Pat. No. 3,186,278. While mechanisms for severing the strap into small pieces provides one means for disposal in overall volume by cutting and the pieces are deposited in a barrel or other container, the barrels may weigh up to 1,000 lbs., thus requiring special handling equipment for its disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the disposal of metallic strap by means of coiling the strap to provide a compact, low-cost means for disposal.

The apparatus of this invention includes a lightweight strap coiler (about 50 lbs.) which may be easily carried and positioned on an open-topped barrel. The apparatus includes means for feeding strap longitudinally into a curler mechanism. The curler mechanism includes a nose piece having a radius working surface against which the leading end of the strap is .directed to form an initial loop at the leading end of the strap. A pressure roller is disposed adjacent the strap curler and cooperates therewith to define a bending zone through which the strap is directed..As the strap passes through the bending zone, it is stressed beyond its yield point. This strain deformation of the strapcauses it to form a tightly wound coil. The strap is bent on a substantially constant radius so that as the coil'increases in diameter, the latter coils wrap tightly around previous coils. As the downstream end of the strappassesthroughat the substantially constant radius, the outermost loop of the coil is directed inwardly, thus maintaining a highly compact strap coil.

After a coil of strap has been fonned, it drops from the coiling mechanism into a barrel positioned therebeneath. Both the strap curler and pressure roller are lever mounted and resiliently biased into an operative position, but may yield to allow obstructions, such a a strap seal or kinks, to easily pass through the bending zone.

A safety guard is provided at the entrance of the strap coiler which actuates the electric drive. The safety guard maintains the strap in a path adjacent the wall of the disposal barrel to minimize the possibility of the .strap whipping or entangling a worker. Moreover, the

safety guard is operatively connected to the motor drive to terminate operation of the coiler when a new strap is introduced or if the strap should become entangled or restricted from free movement. 7

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view partially in cross section, illustrating the strap coiler of the present invention positioned on a disposal barrel;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 in FIG. 1 illustrating the safety guard;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the strap coiler preparatory to the introduction of strap;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side eievational view partially in cross section of the strap coiler with the safety guard and cap removed for clarity of illustration;

FIG. Sis a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 4 illustrating the feed wheel and pressure roller;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 illustrating the feed wheel and strap curler;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a strap coil according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to 'be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

FIGS. 1 and 4 show the strap coiler 10 of the present invention. Strap coiler 10 includes a generally U- shaped downwardly facing barrel mount channel 12 by which the apparatus may be positioned on the rim of a barrel B which receives the coiled strap for disposal. A fractional horsepower electric drive motor 16, controls, and a right angle drive train 17 (FIG. 5) for operatihg strap coiler 10 are mounted on the upper surface I of channel 12. A coil enclosing; portion 22 in which the coiling of the strap takes place, is mounted in front of the drive train on channel 12 (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and Enclosing portion 22 includes two parallel, spaced apart, side plates 24 and 26 which are interconnected by cap screws 28 positioned about the peripheral portions thereof. Plates 24 and 26 are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of spacer members 30, 32, and 34 at spaced locations around the periphery thereof. Enclosing portion 22 is supported from the drive train by means of top plate 38 which is secured thereto by bolts 40. Plates 24 and 26 are provided with aligned, circular cutouts 24a and 26a, respectively, (FIG. 6) to provide access to a feed wheel assembly described below.

Portion 22 further includes a bell-mouth chute 42 through which strap S is introduced to the coiler. Chute 42 is secured to spacers 32 and 34 by means of bolts 43 and 44, respectively. Spacer 32 is generally triangular in shape and the lower surface 32a (FIG. 4) thereof defines the upper surface of a feed path through which strap S is moved. The lower surface of the feed path is defined by 'a strap guide 50. Strap guide 50 is a lever member which is pivotally attached at its mid-portion to plates 26 and 24 by pin 52. The downstream end 50a of member 50 is bifurcated, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, so that a pressure roller 54 may be mounted therebetween by pin 56. Member 50 is provided with longitudinal wall portions 50b which extend upwardly from the top edges thereof to define lateral guides for the feed path.

Member 50 is maintained in an operative position by means of a spring system 60 which includes a cylinder 62 formed in spacer 34 in which is also positioned a compression spring 64. A push rod 66 is positioned concentrically within spring 64 and extends upwardly through the end'of cylinder 62 to be pivotally attached in a cutout 500 in the lower surface of member 50 by means of pin 67. The lower end of push rod 66 is provided with a backup washer 68 secured to the push rod by bolt 63. Washer 68 is in abutting relationship with spring 6 4 so that push rod 66 is biased downwardly by spring 64 to maintainroller 54 in the operative position. An insert set screw 71 has been added in spacer 34 to allow for adjusting a slight clearance between the feed wheel 69 and pressure roller 54.

Strap S is pushed through the coiler by a pinch roll system provided for pressure roller 54 and a feed wheel 69. As best illustrated in .FIG. 5, feed wheel 69 includes three feed discs 70 which are provided with saw tooth edges 72 at their peripheries. Discs 70 are preferably of high-speed steel to provide long service life and to be relatively maintenance free. The use of saw tooth working edges provides for positive engagement of the strap S,.particularly when the strap is coated, as it passes into the nip defined by roller 54 and discs 70. The three discs 70 are maintained in lateral, spaced apart relationship by means of a pair of spacers 74.

Further spacers 76 are positioned adjacent the two outer'discs 70 to provide a means for maintaining a spacing of the pressure roller 54 from the discs 70. To this end, roller 54 is provided with four, circumferentially extending, laterally spaced apart bands 54a. Bands 54a are adapted to be positioned between the saw tooth discs 70 to provide positive contact between the saw tooth edges 72 and the strap S even when very light gauge strap is used.

Feed wheel 69 is driven from drive train 17 by means of shaft 80. A mounting collar 82 is secured to shaft 80 by means of adjustment bolt 83 and positions a mounting hub 84 having a generally cylindrical shaped portion 84a extending therefrom and positioned concentrically about shaft 80. Spacers 76 and 74 and discs 70 are positioned 'coaxially about cylindrical portion 84a and are maintained in positive engagement with cylindrical portion 84a and shaft 80 by means of a key 86, FIG. 5. A cap 88 is mounted to the end of shaft 80 by a bolt 89 and bears against endspacer 76 to maintain the feed wheel assembly. Alternatively, a single feed wheel having voids and spacer projections adjacent to saw type teeth can be used if desired.

As the strap is pushed by the feed wheel, it is directed against a strap curler assembly 90 which directs the strap downwardly causing it to be stressed beyond its yield point which results in strain deformation of the strap and causes it to form a coil C. FIG. 4 shows the strap curler which consists of a nose piece 92, disposed adjacent feed wheel 69 and pressure roller 54 by means of a lever member 94. Lever member 94 consists of an elongate, generally vertical member which is pivotally attached to plates 24 and 26 at its upper end by means of pin 96 and is generally concave in shape to clear feed wheel 69. Nose 92 is mounted at the lower end of lever 94 by means of pin 97.

Since the strap is driven quickly through the coiler and may include seals or clips C along its length, the lever member 94 is designed for movement away from its operative position. To this end, lever 94 is biased towards the operative position, illustrated in FIG. 4, by means of a compression spring 98, which is mounted in a cavity 30a in spacer 30 and a corresponding cavity 94a in lever 94. Lever 94 is maintained in the operative position by means of a stop pin 99.

Nose 92, FIGS. 4 and 6, is provided with a radius working surface 92a and two, spaced apart fingers 9212 which extend upwardly between discs 70 to'provide a means for stripping the strap from the discs 70 as it is fed by the feed wheel.

As a length of strapping is pushed forwardly through the bending zone between nose 92 and roller 54, the leading end of the strap strikes the radius working surface 92a of nose piece 92 and is deflected downwardly to form a small coilv 100 due to this impact. As the strap continues to be pushed through the bending zone, the nose and roller 54 cooperate to stress the strap beyond its yield point and cause strained deformation, with the result that a substantially constant curl is formed in the strap. As the strap is coiled, the coils become progressively tighter with increased coil diameter to provide a highly stable coil C. As the end of the strap is passed through the bending zone, it tends to maintain a constant radius resulting in a small curl being formed at the end of the strap over increasing diameter coils, thereby causing the trailing end to be biased radially inwardly against the coil. In this manner, the stability of the coil is increased and there is no outwardly facing edge which may cause injury to workers. Since the length of strap may include a seal or clip C, the spring assembly 60 allows guide 50 and roller 54 to pivot counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4, to permit the clip to be driven through the bending zone. The spring assembly then returns the guide 50 and roller 54 to the operative position and stressing of the strap continues. After a length of strap has been coiled, it will hang from roller 54, or if the weight of the coil is sufficient to free the trailing end, the coil will drop into barrel B.

FIG. 8 shows a strap coil C produced in accordance with the present invention. The coil includes an inner curl or a loop 100, formed by the impact of the leading end of the strap against nose 92, multiple loops or curls 101 of strap formed on a constant radius to produce progressively tighter coils, and a terminal curl 103 at the end of the strap length which is directed inwardly against the underlying loop. The coil also includes a seal C which can be located at any point along the length of the strap depending onthe location of the point of severance when the length of strap is removed from a bundle. It will be readily appreciated that although the strap is referred to as a length of strap, it may in fact be two lengths of strap which are functionally joined by a seal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, strap is curled at the rate of 4 feet per second, and it will be readily appreciated that safety factors should be included to prevent the strap from becoming a hazard to workers as it is drawn into the coiler. To this end, a safety guard 110, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, includes a first pair of links 11 l which are pivotally mounted on either side of the upstream end of guide 50 by means of pin 112. Links 111 extend upuwardly on either side of chute 42 and are interconnected at their upper ends by means of a pin 114 which extends outwardly from each link. The outwardly extending portions of pin 114 are received in a generally V-shaped cutout 116 formed in a link 117. Link 117 is a generally downward U-shaped member and is pivotally mounted ata birfurcated end 117a outboard of plates 24 and 26 by pin 118.

The strap coiler motor 16 is controlled by a safety switch 125, FIG. 1, which is attached to plate 24 and includes a contact arm 126 which extends to the right (as viewed in FIG. 1) to be positioned below link 117 and in contact therewith in the run position shown in solid line. In this manner, a safety interlock is established between the drive and guard 110.

A downwardly extending safety arm link 120 is pivotally mounted at the opposite end of link 117 by means of pin 121. Safety arm 120 is generally U-shaped, FIG. 2, and includes a transversely dis-posed U-shaped barrel engaging member 122 at its lower end. As may be seen in FIG. 1, links 117 and 120 cooperate to block access to chute 42 and will terminate the drive if moved from the run position.

Link 117 includes a stop portion 1l7b which is 'contacted by link 120 to operate the compound linkage when a new length of strap is to be introduced. With particular reference to FIG. 3, when a new length of strap is to be introduced, the lower end of safety link 120 is pivoted counterclockwise to cause the guard 110 to expose chute 42. Additionally, link 11 l is drawn vertically upwardly to cause guide 50 to pivot counterclockwise so that the leading end of the strap may be introduced into the nip between roller 54 and feed wheel 69. After the strap has been introduced,-guard 110 is lowered into the position shown in solid line in FIG. 1 causing switch 125 to be activated and thus coiling is commenced.

As the strap is drawn into the coiler, it is maintained in a vertical path along the barrel before it enters chute 42 by link 120. In the event that the strap becomes entangled with anything, e.g., due to many kinks, the safety guard will be lifted upwardly in a manner illustrated in phantom line in FIG. 1, or swing out per FIG. 3, causing link 117 to be raised, thus actuating safety switch 125 and terminating the drive to the strap coiler. In this manner, strap may be introduced into the coiler with minimum danger to the user and should any entanglement result, the safety guard will terminate strap coiling before there is a possibility of damage to the user.

From the above description, it is apparent that the strap coiler provides a safe, low-cost method of strap disposal. With the apparatus described, about 500 lbs. of strap may be disposed of in a 55 gallon drum, which is more easy to handle than a drumfilled with cut strap.

It is also possible due to the coil structure (as opposed to cut strap) to bale the coils for disposal as is known in the art.

When the strap coiler 10 is removed from barrel B, it may be supported in a standing position by placing the left end (as viewed in FIG. 4) of Channel 12 and bottom surface of member 122 on the ground. In this manner, member 122 acts as a stabilizer to maintain the strap coiler in an upright position.

It is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications and embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventions contained herein.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming a length of metallic strap which comprises frame means, means defining a feed path for said strap including an elongate lever member pivotally attached to said frame means at its mid portion, the upper surface of said lever member defining a portion of said feed path; curler means positioned adjacent the downstream end of said path, said curler means defining a radius working surface extending across said path, roller means rotatably mounted at the downstream end of said lever member, means resiliently biasing said lever member to an operative position so that said roller means is positioned adjacent said curler means and is adapted to cooperate with said curler means to define a zone therebetween for bending said strap beyond its yield point, and means for feeding said strapping longitudinally along said path and through said bending zone, whereby said strap is formed into a coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curler means includes a pivot member disposed generally transversely of said feed path and pivotally attached at its upper end to said frame means; means defining said radius working surface positioned adjacent the opposite end of said pivot member; means biasing said pivot member in an operative position, whereby said radius working surface is positioned adjacent said roller means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feed means includes a feed wheel mounted to said frame means adjacent said feed path to engage the strapping; and means for driving said feed wheel means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said feed wheel includes a plurality of coaxial, spaced apart, circular discs, each of which defines a saw tooth edge at its periphery, said saw tooth discs being adapted to engage said strapping and rotated in the direction of said feed path.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said feed wheel means is positioned adjacent said bending zone.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said curler means further includes at least one stripper finger extending from said radius working surface, said finger adapted to be positioned between a pair of said saw tooth discs, whereby said strap is stripped from said feed wheel.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: safety guard means adapted to block access to said feed path during strap coiling; and means interconnecting said guard means with said means for feeding whereby the coiling operation is terminated when said guard means is moved from said access blocking position. 

1. Apparatus for forming a length of metallic strap which comprises frame means, means defining a feed path for said strap including an elongate lever member pivotally attached to said frame means at its mid portion, the upper surface of said lever member defining a portion of said feed path; curler means positioned adjacent the downstream end of said path, said curler means defining a radius working surface extending across said path, roller means rotatably mounted at the downstream end of said lever member, means resiliently biasing said lever member to an operative position so that said roller means is positioned adjacent said curler means and is adapted to cooperate with said curler means to define a zone therebetween for bending said strap beyond its yield point, and means for feeding said strapping longitudinally along said path and through said bending zone, whereby said strap is formed into a coil.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curler means includes a pivot member disposed generally transverseLy of said feed path and pivotally attached at its upper end to said frame means; means defining said radius working surface positioned adjacent the opposite end of said pivot member; means biasing said pivot member in an operative position, whereby said radius working surface is positioned adjacent said roller means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feed means includes a feed wheel mounted to said frame means adjacent said feed path to engage the strapping; and means for driving said feed wheel means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said feed wheel includes a plurality of coaxial, spaced apart, circular discs, each of which defines a saw tooth edge at its periphery, said saw tooth discs being adapted to engage said strapping and rotated in the direction of said feed path.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said feed wheel means is positioned adjacent said bending zone.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said curler means further includes at least one stripper finger extending from said radius working surface, said finger adapted to be positioned between a pair of said saw tooth discs, whereby said strap is stripped from said feed wheel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: safety guard means adapted to block access to said feed path during strap coiling; and means interconnecting said guard means with said means for feeding whereby the coiling operation is terminated when said guard means is moved from said access blocking position. 